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I can think of a few oddball ideas. You never know. Whenever I say I've seen everything something new comes along. There's a possibility both fuses are bad. I'd make sure the transformer is making contact correctly with the timer. They connect funny with that timer. I'd take the lithium battery out and unplug the timer for a couple minutes then plug it back in. Sometimes that will reset things. Maybe the wire on the transformer is crimped making it an intermittent problem. Maybe the timer is just bad. I've seen dozens of Esp's with a haywire lcd screen. From a repairmans standpoint. You've made all the right moves with what you stated you've done so far. Now you're looking for something unexpected. Good luck!

wanted to add my 2c here. I too saw the pr-off message and a sorry-looking lawn with this system after 5 years of faithful service. I spent hours trying my voltmeter on different points in the circuit to figure out what was wrong and the blown fuse was the culprit, but the fuse tube was not dark like you might expect a blown fuse to look. Upon closer inspection, there was a break in the fuse which was very hard to see as the 500mA fuse wire looks to be no thicker than a hair. I suspect that the wire inside the fuse might be temporarily touching which means you might be finding a distressed lawn next time somebody bumps into the unit. I suggest a careful inspection of and maybe a continuity test across the fuse. I noticed that the newer models have alternative circuit protection and I read somewhere that failed fuses was the number one cause of returns for these units. Hopefully you'll still have your spare fuse handy. best wishes.

I had the same issue, but found that the transformer had been fried. I guess a recent electrical storm shorted out the the transformer, and wasn't supplying the timer with power. I checked it by using a voltage meter, found it was dead, and proceeded to buy a new transformer at a local sprinkler company. I installed it and instantly the system worked again! Now the only problem is trying to figure out why zone 2 is blowing the fuse. DOH!

Solenoid

Hi Johnny, When a fuse continuously blows it's almost always a bad solenoid or crossed wiring. Watch and see what numbered valve is blowing the fuse. Find that valve and disconnect one of the wires from the solenoid. Now with a new fuse in place try running that station again. If the fuse doesn't blow the solenoid is bad. If it does there's probably a crossed wire somewhere. Next disconnect that stations wire from the controller keeping the wire disconnected at the solenoid. Turn on the station again. If the fuse blows it's the timer. If not it's the wiring.

I have the same problem with my Rainbird controller. I have checked the power outlet and the fuse. I noticed that when I remove the lithium battery, the LCD display fades, regardless of whether the transformer is plugged in or not. Is that a dead give-away that the transformer is bad? I don't have a voltmeter, so I can't readily check it to see if it puts out 26.5V. I guess I'll have to take it to the hardware store to check it (or buy a voltmeter).

It worked

Hey I know this thread is from a year ago, but I'd just like to thank you guys for saving me the extra hassle of calling the guy that installed my system. I popped the lithium battery and the fuse out (and they both read fine on the voltometer), said what the heck and put them back in and everything works fine now.
Thanks again!

rainbird PR OFF message

I read all the info in here, They sounded complicated. I went and tried a different power source. That is via a extension cord from another wall outlet in the garage. It work immediately. I unplugged and reconnected it to the original outlet, and it is back to normal. I guess it needed to be reset.